It's a good thing for the industry. GI Joe and Transformer comics were my gateway drugs into the wider comic book industry, and the industry has been hurting due to younger readers being left out in the cold when the mainstream super hero comics all went grimdark in the 90s.

Are these just print sales, or are they counting digital? Same day digital has gotten me back into reading comics in a big way, although the big downside is that I lost out on the crazy appreciation that the early issues of Saga have had. Still, it is really nice to roll out of bed on Wednesday morning, fire up the Comics apps, and download some new issues to read over breakfast. I'm really loving all the great stuff that Image is putting out now. They are the new Vertigo for me.

Mad_Radhu:It's a good thing for the industry. GI Joe and Transformer comics were my gateway drugs into the wider comic book industry, and the industry has been hurting due to younger readers being left out in the cold when the mainstream super hero comics all went grimdark in the 90s.

Are these just print sales, or are they counting digital? Same day digital has gotten me back into reading comics in a big way, although the big downside is that I lost out on the crazy appreciation that the early issues of Saga have had. Still, it is really nice to roll out of bed on Wednesday morning, fire up the Comics apps, and download some new issues to read over breakfast. I'm really loving all the great stuff that Image is putting out now. They are the new Vertigo for me.

I just opened a comic book / game shop in my area, and the numbers in the article are print only. MLP and Adventure Time are two books I've had a difficult time keeping in stock, and it's been a good mix of younger readers and older readers picking up the issues.

I think with all the stuff that's happened at Vertigo in the past year or two (which culminated in Karen Berger leaving them), a lot of the staple Vertigo writers have fled to Image. Saga has been fantastic (one of the best, most inventive sci-fi series I've read in the past decade) and they have a few other really solid titles. They still have all the Rob Liefeld crap, but it doesn't seem to sell at all.

They are, just some B&N's have employees who care a little more about how they're presented. Many just throw them on one shelf at the bottom of Entertainment in the magazines, but I've been to some who actually arrange them by publisher and fan them out.

The problem is the longevity of the cartoons is not guaranteed. Cartoon Network shiatcanned Flapjack and Chowder way too early for no apparent reason despite popularity, and they had similar levels of quality voice and writing talent as Adventure Time(and Regular Show) so I'm assuming costs were not all that different. While it doesn't apply to MLP, if Adventure Time gets canceled does the comic stick around? Probably not, as CN seems to bury their IPs once a show is canceled.

Orgasmatron138:DNRTA, but are they including electronic format? Seems to me that tablets would be great for comic subscriptions (color screens, automatic downloads, easy cross-selling). Is that a thing yet?

Alternatively, if you have CBRs and CBZs, you can read them on your ipad with apps like Sidebooks -- which I do have, but I also have the actual physical comicbook as well, so I don't feel as bad as getting a digital copy from a dubious source so I can enjoy it on my ipad.

Dog Welder:Mad_Radhu: It's a good thing for the industry. GI Joe and Transformer comics were my gateway drugs into the wider comic book industry, and the industry has been hurting due to younger readers being left out in the cold when the mainstream super hero comics all went grimdark in the 90s.

Are these just print sales, or are they counting digital? Same day digital has gotten me back into reading comics in a big way, although the big downside is that I lost out on the crazy appreciation that the early issues of Saga have had. Still, it is really nice to roll out of bed on Wednesday morning, fire up the Comics apps, and download some new issues to read over breakfast. I'm really loving all the great stuff that Image is putting out now. They are the new Vertigo for me.

I just opened a comic book / game shop in my area, and the numbers in the article are print only. MLP and Adventure Time are two books I've had a difficult time keeping in stock, and it's been a good mix of younger readers and older readers picking up the issues.

I think with all the stuff that's happened at Vertigo in the past year or two (which culminated in Karen Berger leaving them), a lot of the staple Vertigo writers have fled to Image. Saga has been fantastic (one of the best, most inventive sci-fi series I've read in the past decade) and they have a few other really solid titles. They still have all the Rob Liefeld crap, but it doesn't seem to sell at all.

Where's the store at? Would love to find a new shop to see what's out there. We have a couple local up here, but I like an adventure sometimes. Especially when I make a trip down to Jungle Jim's and I'm in that area.

bhcompy:The problem is the longevity of the cartoons is not guaranteed. Cartoon Network shiatcanned Flapjack and Chowder way too early for no apparent reason despite popularity, and they had similar levels of quality voice and writing talent as Adventure Time(and Regular Show) so I'm assuming costs were not all that different. While it doesn't apply to MLP, if Adventure Time gets canceled does the comic stick around? Probably not, as CN seems to bury their IPs once a show is canceled.

Orgasmatron138:DNRTA, but are they including electronic format? Seems to me that tablets would be great for comic subscriptions (color screens, automatic downloads, easy cross-selling). Is that a thing yet?

The iPad with Retina Display is wonderful for comics, especially the ones that are available in high-resolution downloads. In fact, some comics actually look better in digital than print. The only problem is that there isn't really a good way to deal with 2-page spreads in digital.

Nothing is more disturing than having 45 year old guys at my office having a discussion over lunch about My Little Pony and their 'meet up' from the weekend. I have nothing against people's preference to certain comic books, in fact I grew up reading them through college and still keep up to date with storylines, but the adult male facination with My Little Pony is disturbing on so many levels. It makes the obsession over 'tentacle porn' look down right normal.

Ned Stark:bhcompy: The problem is the longevity of the cartoons is not guaranteed. Cartoon Network shiatcanned Flapjack and Chowder way too early for no apparent reason despite popularity, and they had similar levels of quality voice and writing talent as Adventure Time(and Regular Show) so I'm assuming costs were not all that different. While it doesn't apply to MLP, if Adventure Time gets canceled does the comic stick around? Probably not, as CN seems to bury their IPs once a show is canceled.

Cartoon Network hates money.

I don't know the exact figures, but I'm pretty sure CN knows that they've got a hot commodity with Adventure Time. They advertise it well and the merchandise is everywhere. If they play it right it could have some nice longevity like the Simpsons. I probably fall into the last demographic that you'd think would buy the comics (a mom) but I'm in the comic store all the time with my girls checking it out. So I guess this thread/link is relevant to my interests.

Comics are kind of an expensive habit I've learned, esp. when they come out with multiple covers for collectors. I gave up trying to keep up, though I think you can get them straight from the CN site.

Mad_Radhu:Orgasmatron138: DNRTA, but are they including electronic format? Seems to me that tablets would be great for comic subscriptions (color screens, automatic downloads, easy cross-selling). Is that a thing yet?The iPad with Retina Display is wonderful for comics, especially the ones that are available in high-resolution downloads. In fact, some comics actually look better in digital than print. The only problem is that there isn't really a good way to deal with 2-page spreads in digital.

Even the older iPads are good for comic and manga reading and as you said the only drawback is how they handle two page spreads. There are good comic readers for just about all actual tablets but the larger sized tablets are the best if you're into that. however the best manga readers are geared towards iPads, the android versions are pretty weak in comparison.

desertmouse:Ned Stark: bhcompy: The problem is the longevity of the cartoons is not guaranteed. Cartoon Network shiatcanned Flapjack and Chowder way too early for no apparent reason despite popularity, and they had similar levels of quality voice and writing talent as Adventure Time(and Regular Show) so I'm assuming costs were not all that different. While it doesn't apply to MLP, if Adventure Time gets canceled does the comic stick around? Probably not, as CN seems to bury their IPs once a show is canceled.

Cartoon Network hates money.

I don't know the exact figures, but I'm pretty sure CN knows that they've got a hot commodity with Adventure Time. They advertise it well and the merchandise is everywhere. If they play it right it could have some nice longevity like the Simpsons. I probably fall into the last demographic that you'd think would buy the comics (a mom) but I'm in the comic store all the time with my girls checking it out. So I guess this thread/link is relevant to my interests.

Comics are kind of an expensive habit I've learned, esp. when they come out with multiple covers for collectors. I gave up trying to keep up, though I think you can get them straight from the CN site.

One thing I wanted to add about the Adventure Time show though: It does seem to have dipped in quality the last year. I know they've added a bunch of writers who are great at injecting obscure, interesting ideas. But they try so hard to make the episodes "weird" in a good way that they end of being kind of bad and unfun to watch. The "fun" part is getting a little lost. My girls and I watched them all the time for about 6 months, but a couple weird episodes (Davey or any of the ones with Lemondrop) burned us out and we don't watch it so much anymore.

If kids are actually buying it, that's fantastic. If it's adult males, then good for them. Maybe if they continue to sell well enough they'll influence the big 2 to even slightly change up their styles as in become more appealing to kids. Eh, who am I kidding?

desertmouse:One thing I wanted to add about the Adventure Time show though: It does seem to have dipped in quality the last year. I know they've added a bunch of writers who are great at injecting obscure, interesting ideas. But they try so hard to make the episodes "weird" in a good way that they end of being kind of bad and unfun to watch. The "fun" part is getting a little lost. My girls and I watched them all the time for about 6 months, but a couple weird episodes (Davey or any of the ones with Lemondrop) burned us out and we don't watch it so much anymore.

"I Remember You" was late in season 4 I believe and is the best episode ever IMO. Nothing from season 5 seems to be as good.

/that episode is sadder than the infamous 'Jurassic Bark' episode of Futurama

FunkyBlue:Where's the store at? Would love to find a new shop to see what's out there. We have a couple local up here, but I like an adventure sometimes. Especially when I make a trip down to Jungle Jim's and I'm in that area.

Nostalgia Ink -- Mason, OH

I'm usually only there in the evenings and on weekends, but if you see a guy with glasses working there, please introduce yourself. Always fun to meet a fellow Farker.

(I'm a huge fan of Jungle Jim's -- can so get lost in that store for hours -- and drop $100 easy in the alcohol section.)

Dog Welder:I think with all the stuff that's happened at Vertigo in the past year or two (which culminated in Karen Berger leaving them), a lot of the staple Vertigo writers have fled to Image. Saga has been fantastic (one of the best, most inventive sci-fi series I've read in the past decade) and they have a few other really solid titles. They still have all the Rob Liefeld crap, but it doesn't seem to sell at all.

I've also loved The Manhattan Projects and the other wonderfully weird Hickman stuff.

I gave up on Walking Dead last year and after trying out most of the relaunched Marvel books I haven't found anything that makes me feel like I need to keep reading. In comparison, both My Little Pony and Adventure Time have been charming, fun books that I look forward to every month. This time last year I was probably spending $150 a month on comics. Now it's more like $35.

No, I think he means Warner Brothers and Disney. In fact, the major problems with DC started when Disney bought Marvel and stayed pretty much hands off, but that still sent WB into fits of hysteria so they took over DC Comics and made them DC Entertainment and put people with no comic book experience whatsoever in charge of the company to synergize the brands and rastafy things 10%

/and left Dan Didio and Geoff Johns there to run the day to day operations.